Chapter 6 Riverside Residence

• "Mom, don't go! I already went today and was thrown out!" Emilia quickly grabbed Zelda, desperate to prevent her from making a scene.
• "Also, Mom, there's something important I need to ask you…" Emilia said, noticing Zelda making her way to the door and suddenly remembering something.
• At first, she hadn't intended to bid. It was Zelda who had urged her to seize the opportunity, even going so far as to say that if Emilia didn't participate, she would take it upon herself to do so.
• Emilia initially regarded this as mere encouragement but eventually decided to give it a shot. To her astonishment, she ended up winning.
• In retrospect, it seemed plausible that Zelda had connections within the Callister Group.
• "Mom, do you happen to know anyone from Callister Group?" Emilia asked.
• "How would I know anyone from Callister Group? I'm just upset that they can break a contract without a second thought…" Zelda replied.
• "I'm going to confront them!" Zelda declared with indignation.
• "Mom, Callister Group is the leading conglomerate in Kinlande. If they were selecting partners, there are numerous companies far more qualified than ours. Why would Callister Group choose our small firm? I distinctly remember you urging me to bid!" Emilia pressed.
• "Yes, I did suggest you go, but I truly don't know anyone from Callister Group…" Zelda maintained, her eyes darting away.
• "Mom, given how serious this has become, are you still going to conceal the truth from me? If Callister Group doesn't pay for the goods this time, our company will be in dire straits! We might even lose our home, having to repay our debts!" Emilia exclaimed.
• "What? Is it really that grave? If that's the case, our company could go under?" Zelda's eyes widened, as if she had just grasped the enormity of the situation. "But I genuinely don't know anyone from Callister Group…"
• "Then why did you encourage me to bid?" Emilia urged anxiously.
• "Because… because someone mentioned you should try. But it can't be him…" Zelda stammered, her complexion turning pale.
• Suddenly, Zelda remembered a conversation. Emilia had once expressed that winning the Callister Group contract would greatly enhance the company's future.
• At that time, Emilia had merely dreamed about it, having yet to submit a bid.
• But Chester, who had been engaged in household chores, had overheard their discussion.
• Later, Chester had advised Zelda to encourage Emilia to bid, claiming he had acquaintances at Callister Group.
• Zelda had passed this information on to Emilia but had never revealed that Chester was the one helping or mentioned his connections to Callister Group!
• "Mom, who is it? Please tell me; this is crucial!" Emilia insisted, gripping Zelda's hands tightly.
• "It's Chester…" Zelda murmured.
• Chester? How could that possibly be true?
• The image of Chester in an apron, laboring around the house, filled Emilia's thoughts. How can someone like him, who seems to lack ambition, know anyone affiliated with Callister Group?
• Yet, she remembered what she had heard recently—the owner of Tres Bistro and Derek both claimed she would regret her divorce from Chester. Could it be that Chester was indeed a significant figure?
• Emilia shook her head, feeling perplexed by her thoughts on Chester, but she still couldn't accept it.
• "Mom, you're joking, right? How could it be Chester? Just go; I need some time to myself…" Emilia pushed Zelda away. The strain from the company's issues had exhausted her, and she decided to think of solutions tomorrow. Do I really have to beg Grandpa for help?
• "Whether it's true or not, I'm going to confront Chester tomorrow and uncover the truth. He may be your ex-husband, but he's still the dog of our family!" Zelda asserted, turning and departing.
• ...
• The following morning, Chester, comfortably cocooned in his blankets, was abruptly awakened by the incessant ringing of his phone.
• Chester rarely allowed himself the luxury of sleeping in; prior to his divorce, he consistently rose early, even on weekends, to prepare breakfast for Emilia.
• Still bleary-eyed, he instinctively answered when he saw "Mom" flash across the screen.
• "Chester, where are you? I need to talk to you!"
• Hearing the voice on the other end instantly sharpened Chester's focus.
• It was Zelda; he hadn't updated the contact information, so it still displayed as "Mom."
• "Leave me alone!" Chester retorted and swiftly hung up.
• The call shattered his peaceful morning, rendering him wide awake.
• No sooner had he set the phone down than it rang once more, the screen mockingly displaying "Mom."
• Chester had once genuinely cared for Emilia and her mom, but he had endured nothing but relentless insults in return. What frustrated him further was Zelda's unabashed audacity!
• Fine, if this is what you want…
• "Chester, how dare you disconnect the call!? You will forever be a servant in our family, and you believe you can simply hang up on me?"
• Chester reluctantly answered again, and Zelda's furious tirade pierced through.
• "I'm at Riverside Residence! Come over here!" He hung up again after responding.
• Chester had no clue what Zelda desired from him, but that was irrelevant; that day, he was resolved to confront Zelda's arrogance!
• "Hmph! Do you really think you're something?" Zelda scoffed after hanging up.
• Hanging up on me and telling me to leave? Chester, what makes you think you're something? Just wait!
• "Heading to the Riverside Residence!" Zelda summoned a cab.
• Thirty minutes later, she arrived at Riverside Residence. Upon surveying the community, she realized it was a prestigious villa area in Kinlande.
• Nestled in Kinlande's development zone, this land was exceedingly valuable, positioned by the riverside, offering breathtaking views.
• Since their construction, the villas had never been sold publicly.
• Rumors suggested that all the villas had been acquired by influential figures in Kinlande, leaving common folk with no opportunity to gain access.
• "Could Chester really live here?" Zelda was astonished.
• "Madam, who are you looking for?" a security guard at Riverside Residence approached her with a friendly smile.
• "I'm here to wait for someone, but he's unlikely to reside in your community." Zelda dismissively waved her hand.
• "No worries, madam. You can come inside and wait. Feel free to enjoy some water!" The guard was particularly hospitable to her.
• "Well then, I'll come in. I must say, the management of your upscale community is impressive. Anyone residing here must be wealthy or prominent, well-educated and worldly..." Zelda remarked with a smile.
• However, before she could finish her sentence, a Land Rover pulled up, and a familiar figure emerged from the vehicle.